Pima Animal Care Center encourages owners to reunite with their lost pets

With stray pets accounting for more than half of all pets admitted to Pima Animal Care Center in August, shelter officials remind owners they can reunite with their pets and pay no redemption fee if they agree to have them spayed or neutered.

In August, PACC took in about 1,500 animals and, of those, nearly 850 came in as strays. While some of them have a microchip, the registration information is often outdated and shelter staff cannot contact the respective pet owners. Since May 1, PACC has taken in close to 3,700 strays.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for families to reunite with their lost pets,” said PACC Director Kristen Auerbach. “By waiving redemption fees and spaying or neutering redeemed pets, we’re eliminating the financial burden for families while also controlling our community’s pet population and making room for other pets in need.”

PACC’s redemption special could save pet owners hundreds of dollars, when the potential boarding fees and costs for vaccinations, microchipping, and spay/neuter surgery are considered. While all of these fees will be waived, an $18 licensing fee will still apply to all unlicensed adult dogs.

“Reuniting lost pets with their owners will also help us reduce our shelter census, which continues at capacity,” Auerbach said. “Many of our strays arrive healthy. Some even have a collar, but because they have no license tags, we can’t contact their families.”

As of Aug. 30, PACC was caring for 613 pets at its shelter, 4000 N. Silverbell Road, not including the pets in foster care or awaiting adoption at five local PetSmart stores.

If you or someone you know has recently lost a pet, visit PACC’s shelter, 4000 N. Silverbell Road or contact the Pet Support Center at (520) 724-7222 for help reuniting with your pet. PACC is open Monday through Friday, from noon – 7 p.m. and on the weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In observation of Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 4., the shelter will be closed to the public – except for those volunteering at PACC’s community dog walk from 7-9 a.m. For more information on PACC, visit the shelter’s website.